OT: Unmounted rubber stamps (long)

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King's Crown 21 years ago

This is sort of on topic since I do stamp in my LOs, so thought I'd share my experiences this week with unmounted rubber stamps.

I decided to give it a try. When I was at the rubber stamp convention last year it was all the rage. Selling them unmounted and how to use them unmounted. I stood in line waiting to get in for about 30 minutes and a lady in line next to me yakked my ear off about it. She was very knowledgeable I enjoyed talking to her or listening to her was more like it. :) She said she had stuck all her stamps in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen them from the wooden blocks and then stored all her stamps in binders with pockets. This intrigued me because I have SO many stamps and storing them is a problem. The idea of unmounting them scared me though.

This week I ordered unmounted stamps from Lasting Impressions with Panache

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. Their "We are women" stamps are SO cute. I got 2 grab bags from the site and not only did they come FAST they were an outstanding selection. Next I went to a plastics store and looked through their scrap bin for some plastic blocks about 1/2 an inch thick. I found 3 that I thought would work and they let me have them for free. The plastics lady said she wonder if the window cling plastic would work for this process and gave me a strip to experiment with for free. YAHOO! So, I trimmed the unmounted stamps used temporary mono adhesive and glued them to the window cling plastic. Then I pressed the stamp window cling side down on the plastic block and it stuck on there GREAT! I then proceeded to stamp. It worked out great. Being able to see my stamp through the block helped with placement. Also I just peeled the rubber stamp off the block and stuck the next one on and kept on stamping. I have

13 stamps that fit in a sandwich bag (for now) that would probably take up
1/2 a plastic drawer if they were attached to wood blocks.

Now that I know the process works I'll permanently glued the rubber stamps to the window cling material.

Lynne

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~~Marebear~~ 21 years ago

That sounds like a great idea. I have been wanting to try unmounted stamps but was not sure how on earth I would use them. But I do have some of the clear rubber stamps, that you peal off the sheet they come on, and then place them on an acrylic block to use, and I love them! you can see right threw the stamp itself and you can tell if the whole thing is inked as well, if they had more of a variety I would get tons, but I still only have what PatCatan's sells.

Great Idea, I will be trying that for sure!!

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Marilyn 21 years ago

Lynne...I have bought loads of stuff from Lasting Impressions with Panache and get them in the UK in no time. One lot even went missing at the end of last year and Denyse replaced the package immediately, no quibbles. Their grab bags are ace value and they also sell on ebay...good size lots at brilliant prices, i.e. I bought to lots of 75 stamps for $25.00 a lot!!! I love their stamps and they give tremendous fast, friendly service.

To stamp with them I use an ordinary glue stick and attach to an acrylic block. When I take them off I just wash stamp in warm soapy water, dap on kitchen roll and air dry. The best bit about unmounted stamps is you can store loads in a tiny space, as opposed to all those on wooden mounts which take up mega room in drawers, etc.

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Chrissy 21 years ago

I've been thinking of trying to mount my own stamps. I have several unmounted stamps but just no interest in mounting them. Also, to buy the unmounted stamps is usually cheapier.

Chrissy

Pages for 2005: 8 Cards for 2005: to many to count

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Scout Lady 21 years ago

I don't get it. How do you attach the stamp to the plastic block? What exactly is this window cling material and why would you glue stamps to it?

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King's Crown 21 years ago

Tomorrow I will take pictures of the whole process. It was so simple I can't believe I waited so long to try it.

Lynne

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Wave Jumper 21 years ago

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Sabrina 21 years ago

Wow! Thanks Lynne, That sounds like a great idea!

Hugs, Sabrina in Kentucky

a good friend is a life long treasure

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King's Crown 21 years ago

That's good tip. Thank you. We were huffing on them too to give them a tad bit of moisture to get a good seal. I wondered about the foam part, but all my stamps came out perfect so wondered if I would even need it.

Lynne

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Kenda 21 years ago

I use craft foam (aka fun foam) on my UM then the plastic. gives a good stamped image.

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Wave Jumper 21 years ago

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Kenda 21 years ago

Ran both sides through my Xyron machine. (gotta love that machine, will do most anything!) I would suggest only doing one stamp and testing it as you may not like it. If the stamp is extremely detailed it may not work or you may not like the results.....

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